UK Horse Racing Tips: Leopardstown

ASCENDING has the experience and sets a good standard in this. The Awtaad gelding was fifth in last season's Triumph Hurdle and ran a decent race on his return when third to It's For Me in a strong maiden hurdle at Punchestown last month. That form has been boosted by the runner-up Caldwell Potter winning since. Obviously the Willie Mullins-trained Anotherway commands plenty of respect. He was a winner in his native France and is a half-brother to Concertista, a good mare for the same connections. Gordon Elliott is represented by D B Cooper. The Getaway gelding was beaten at a short price on his 'track' debut but looked to run into a smart horse in Jeroboam Machin then and the point-to-point winner may do better now over timber.
Prediction : 1st Ascending 2nd Anotherway 3rd D B Cooper

KING OF KINGSFIELD comes here off a cracking run to finish second in Grade 1 company and can get his head in front now. The Vadamos gelding was chased down by Farren Glory on the run-in in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse. He has been described as a bit of a weak finisher, but is a classy horse and his fitness and experience is a big asset. Willie Mullins talks highly of Mirazur West and he looks like an obvious danger. Ferny Hollow's brother was impressive when winning a Naas bumper back in March. James's Gate was formerly with Mullins and is an interesting runner on his first outing for Martin Brassil. The Shantou gelding was third to Facile Vega in the 2022 running of the Cheltenham Champion Bumper and returns from a lengthy absence.
Prediction : 1st King Of Kingsfield 2nd Mirazur West 3rd Jamess Gate

This could be a very informative race for the juvenile division this season. MIGHTY BANDIT has probably been the most impressive of the three-year-olds seen in Ireland so far and he can take the next step up the ladder. The Order Of St George gelding pulled clear in some style when scoring at Punchestown last month and, unlike some of his rivals, he didn't have experience from the Flat so there looks scope for plenty of improvement. Nurburgring has to carry a penalty after his win over Kala Conti in Grade 3 company at Fairyhouse, but has to be respected. Willie Mullins saddles five and there aren't many clues on jockey bookings with Paul Townend in Kempton. Danny Mullins rides Kargese, who was a Grade 3 winner over hurdles in France and she could be a big player.
Prediction : 1st Mighty Bandit 2nd Nurburgring 3rd Kargese

Very deep ground in Gowran may not have been ideal for PARK OF KINGS and he may be able to pick up the winning thread again. The Walk In The Park gelding has reportedly has wind issues so it was still a solid effort to finish third last time. He had won twice previously, at Roscommon and Punchestown, and there looks scope for a bit more from the five-year-old. Lazer Wolf has been knocking on the door and Conor Stone-Walsh takes a valuable 5lb off now. He could be a big contender. Riyami comes here in good form from Dundalk and is an interesting runner back over timber.
Prediction : 1st Park Of Kings 2nd Lazer Wolf 3rd Riyami

Only four go to post but it's a cracking little race and FACILE VEGA can bag another Grade 1 win. The Walk In The Park gelding has had a lot to live up to with his pedigree and has done a sterling job, with four top-level successes already in the bag. The former Champion Bumper winner had a couple of reverses over timber last season, but ended the campaign on a high and was good on his chase debut at Navan last month. He looked like he would improve from that experience as well. Found A Fifty ran really well when second in Grade 1 company in the Drinmore and just looked to be outstayed late on by I Am Maximus. He may be the one to give the selection most to do. Sharjah disappointed at Fairyhouse and needs to improve on that showing. My Mate Mozzie was turned over on his chase debut at Fairyhouse, but was a smooth winner at Cheltenham last time and deserves a shot at this level.
Prediction : 1st Facile Vega 2nd Found A Fifty 3rd My Mate Mozzie

CHAVEZ was impressive when last seen at Fairyhouse in late January and is interesting here on his handicap debut. The Yeats gelding unseated early on his first outing for Willie Mullins before running out a wide-margin winner the next month. He could be nicely treated off a mark of 132. Typical Thomas comes here in fine form after a good win in a valuable contest down in Cork in October. He went up 10lb for that, which makes life a bit tougher in this company. Skippin Court ran well in a beginners chase at Wexford last month, when third to The King Of Prs, and the runner-up Henn See has boosted that form since. He's on a nice weight on his first outing in handicap company over fences.
Prediction : 1st Chavez 2nd Typical Thomas 3rd Skippin Court

PRENDS GARDE A TOI ran a big race on his 'track' debut when going down by half a length to The Passing Wife at Punchestown last month. The Kapgarde gelding stuck on well again close home then and looked like he would improve from the experience. Willie Mullins introduces point-to-point winner Cantico, a narrow victor at Liscarroll in March. The Diamond Boy gelding commands plenty of respect. Mywayofthinkin is an interesting newcomer for Gavin Cromwell and JP McManus. The Flemensfirth gelding is a half-brother to some smart sorts in Limerick Lace, Ilikedwayurthinkin, Inothewayurthinkin and Spades Are Trumps.
Prediction : 1st Prends Garde A Toi 2nd Cantico 3rd Mywayofthinkin